Ruckman Sam Jacobs has praised his team’s ability to respond after quarter-time against Richmond following a disappointing loss to North Melbourne last weekend.

Concerns Adelaide’s poor form against the Roos had flowed into Saturday afternoon’s match were raised after the home team conceded eight goals, including five unanswered, in the opening quarter.

The margin blew out to 33 points at the first change, but unlike the clash with North - in which the Crows allowed six first-quarter goals -Adelaide steadied and was able to slowly reduce the deficit.

The Crows outscored the Tigers 14 goals-to-five after quarter-time, snatching the lead for the first time in the match less than a minute into the final term.

Jacobs said the team was determined to avoid a similar fate two weeks in a row.

“At quarter-time, Sando (Coach Brenton Sanderson) challenged us to play like men and fight the bad first quarter that we had,” Jacobs told afc.com.au.

“Last week, we weren’t able to respond and we worked on that during the week. We didn’t listen to anything that was said externally. We knew we had a bad week and that it was going to be important for us to respond this week.

“We knew Richmond would come out firing and again in the first quarter we weren’t able to match them in the contested footy and tackling. In the second quarter, we tweaked a few things and fortunately the boys lifted.

“It’s a great win for the Club.”

Jacobs, who has been supported by either Shaun McKernan or Josh Jenkins in recent weeks, played a lone hand in the ruck against former teammate Ivan Maric on Saturday afternoon.

Maric took the honours in the hit-outs (39-32), but Jacobs contributed strongly to be one of Adelaide’s better players in the 19-point win.

“It’s great when JJ (Jenkins) or Shauny McKernan play, but I love the challenge of taking on all the responsibility,” Jacobs said.

“It was good to go up against Ivan today. There wasn’t really any banter (between us). We’re both two pretty strong competitors and just kept battling away.”

Reliable midfielder Scott Thompson led the way for Adelaide again, gathering a game-high 32 possessions and 10 tackles. Rory Sloane also played a big part in his team’s resurgence, generating three inside 50ms and two score assists in the second quarter alone on his way to 20 disposals, seven inside 50ms and a goal. Bernie Vince and Patrick Dangerfield (23 touches apiece) and Richard Douglas (21 possessions, seven clearances and two goals) were also solid.

Taylor Walker continued his career-best season, kicking five goals. Kurt Tippett, who had only one possession to half-time, finished with three majors and milestone man Jason Porplyzia sparked the team with two second-half goals.

Jacobs said he was pleased to get a win for Porplyzia in his 100^th game.

 “We spoke pre-game about how we let VB (Nathan van Berlo) down as a playing group in his 150^th game last week. We didn’t want to do it again to another really popular player in Porps.”

Van Berlo was subbed out of the clash with Richmond at half-time after suffering blurred vision from a heavy knock late in the first quarter. He’s expected to be fit for Balfours Showdown XXXIII next Saturday night.

Jacobs was optimistic Adelaide could carry on its form of the last three quarters against Richmond in the grudge match with Port Adelaide next week.

“Hopefully, we’re past that little ‘slump’ if you want to call it that,” he said.

“The Showdowns are always big games and we’re definitely looking forward to it.”